Flat panel display including a glass window

ABSTRACT

A flat panel display apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a panel configured to display an image; a glass window covering the panel; and a polarizing film attached on a surface of the glass window, wherein the polarizing film is configured to prevent the scatter of broken pieces when the glass window breaks and also prevent reflection of an external light.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2010-0029996, filed on Apr. 1, 2010, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The described technology generally relates to a flat panel display, andmore particularly, to a flat panel display including a glass window.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Recently, display devices are being replaced with thin flat paneldisplays including an organic light emitting display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), or the like.

SUMMARY

One aspect is a flat panel display whereby the scatter of broken piecesis effectively prevented when a glass window breaks, and a separatescatter-prevention film and a process of making and attaching the filmare unnecessary.

Another aspect is a flat panel display including a panel on which animage is displayed; a glass window for covering the panel; and apolarizing film attached on the glass window.

The polarizing film may be attached on a surface of the glass windowthat faces the panel, or may be attached on another surface of the glasswindow, which does not face the panel.

A touch screen may further be arranged between the panel and the glasswindow, and the panel may include at least one of an organic lightemitting panel and a liquid crystal panel.

The polarizing film may simultaneously function to be used inscatter-prevention of the glass window, and to inhibit an external lightfrom being reflected.

Another aspect is a flat panel display comprising: a panel configured todisplay an image; a glass window covering the panel; and a polarizingfilm attached on a surface of the glass window, wherein the polarizingfilm is configured to prevent the scatter of broken pieces When theglass window breaks and also prevent reflection of an external light.

In the above display, the surface of the glass window faces the panel.The above display further comprises a touch screen formed between thepanel and the polarizing film. In the above display, the touch screencomprises: first and second substrates facing each other; first andsecond electrode patterns formed on the first and second substrates,respectively, wherein the first and second electrode patterns face eachother; and an insulating material interposed between the substrates andcovering the electrode patterns.

In the above display, the glass window is formed over the polarizingfilm. The above display further comprises an adhesive formed between theglass window and the polarizing film. In the above display, the surfaceof the glass window does not face the panel. The above display furthercomprises a touch screen formed between the panel and the glass window.

In the above display, the touch screen comprises: first and secondsubstrates facing each other; first and second electrode patterns formedon the first and second substrates, respectively, wherein the first andsecond electrode patterns face each other; and an insulating materialinterposed between the substrates and covering the electrode patterns.In the above display, the polarizing film is formed over the glasswindow. The above display further comprises an adhesive formed betweenthe polarizing film and the glass window. In the above display, thepanel is an organic light emitting panel or a liquid crystal panel. Inthe above display, the polarizing film is formed at least partially of anon-glass material.

Another aspect is a flat panel display comprising: a panel configured todisplay an image; a glass window configured to cover the panel, whereinthe glass window has first and second surfaces opposing each other,wherein the first surface is closer to the panel than the secondsurface; and a polarizing film formed between the first surface of theglass window and the panel, wherein the polarizing film is closer to thepanel than the glass window, and wherein the polarizing film is formedat least partially of a non-glass material which is configured toprevent the scatter of broken pieces when the glass window breaks.

The above display further comprises a first adhesive formed between theglass window and the polarizing film. The above display furthercomprises a touch screen which is formed between the panel and thepolarizing film. The above display further comprises: a second adhesiveformed between the polarizing film and touch screen; and a thirdadhesive formed between the touch screen and panel.

Another aspect is a flat panel display comprising: a panel configured todisplay an image; a glass window configured to cover the panel; a touchscreen formed between the panel and the glass window; and a polarizingfilm having first and second surfaces opposing each other, wherein thefirst surface is closer to the panel than the second surface, andwherein the glass window is formed between the first surface of thepolarizing film and the touch screen.

In the above display, the polarizing film is formed at least partiallyof a non-glass material which is configured to prevent the scatter ofbroken pieces when the glass window breaks and prevent reflection of anexternal light. In the above display, the touch screen comprises: firstand second substrates facing each other; first and second electrodepatterns formed on the first and second substrates, respectively,wherein the first and second electrode patterns face each other; and aninsulating material interposed between the substrates and covering theelectrode patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a structure of a flat panel display according toan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a structure of a panel in the flat panel displayof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a structure of a touch screen in the flat paneldisplay of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a structure of a flat panel display according toanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, a flat panel display has a structure in which a protectiveglass window is mounted on a panel on which an image is displayed. Ifthe glass window breaks due to excessive impact, broken pieces therefromare scattered and thus possibly injure the user.

In order to prevent this accident, a separate scatter-prevention film isprepared and attached on the glass window. However, this increases thetotal number of display components as well as the total number ofprocesses and manufacturing costs. This additional element alsoincreases the thickness of a display product by about 100 μm-about 125μm.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to the like elements throughout. The disclosedembodiments may have different forms and should not be construed asbeing limited to the descriptions set forth herein.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a structure of a flat panel display 10 accordingto an embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams of structures of a panel 11and a touch screen 12 in the flat panel display 10 of FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the flat panel display 10includes a glass window 14 that covers the panel 11 on which an image isdisplayed. The glass window 14 may be a protective tempered glass. Thetouch screen 12 for touch manipulation is arranged between the panel 11and the glass window 14. A polarizing film 13 is attached on a surfaceof the glass window 14, which faces the panel 11. An adhesive 15 may beused to couple i) the panel 11 and touch screen 12, ii) the touch screen12 and polarizing film 13 and iii) the polarizing film 13 and glasswindow 14. The adhesive 15 may be an optical clear adhesive (OCA).

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the panel 11 may have astructure in which a display unit 11b is arranged on a substrate 11a,and an encapsulation substrate 11c covers the display unit 11b. Thepanel 11 may be an organic light emitting panel or a liquid crystalpanel.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the touch screen 12 mayhave a structure in which an insulator or insulating material 12c isdisposed between two substrates 12a and 12b having electrode patterns12a′ and 12b′ formed thereon, respectively. When touch pressure isapplied to a top surface of the glass window 14, the insulator 12c ispressed and then the distance between the electrode patterns 12a′ and12b′ is changed so that the touch manipulation is performed by detectinga change in capacitance.

The polarizing film 13 may inhibit an external light from beingreflected. Further, since the polarizing film 13 is directly attached onan inner surface of the glass window 14 via the adhesive 15, thepolarizing film 13 may also prevent the scatter of broken pieces whenthe glass window 14 breaks.

In one embodiment, the polarizing film 13 may be formed at leastpartially of i) a non-glass material which is configured to i) preventthe scatter of broken pieces when the glass window 14 breaks and ii) amaterial which is configured to prevent reflection of an external light.The non-glass material may include at least part of a material used tomanufacture a typical scatter-prevention film. In another embodiment,the polarizing film 13 may be formed at least partially of a typicalpolarizing film material which is configured to prevent the scatter ofbroken pieces of the glass window 14 in conjunction with the adhesive 15interposed between the glass window 14 and the polarizing film 13. Thisdescription applies to the FIG. 4 embodiment. For example, the brokenpieces may stick to the adhesive 15 instead of being scattered.

As discussed above, when the glass window 14 breaks and scatters intopieces, a user may be injured. However, since the polarizing film 13 isattached on the glass window 14, the broken pieces may not be scatteredalthough the glass window 14 breaks. For example, the broken glasspieces are substantially maintained in their original location of theglass without being scattered.

In one embodiment, the polarizing film 13 incorporates the functions ofa scatter-prevention film and a typical polarizing film. Since aseparate scatter-prevention film is unnecessary, the number ofmanufacturing processes or the number of components is reduced. If aseparate scatter-prevention film is attached, the thickness of the flatpanel display 10 is increased about 100 μm-about 125 μm. However, if thepolarizing film 13 is used, a display with a thin profile and a producthaving the display may be realized.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a structure of a flat panel display 20 accordingto another embodiment.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the flat panel display 20includes a glass window 23 that may be a protective tempered glasscovers a panel 21 on which an image is displayed. A touch screen 22 fortouch manipulation is arranged between the panel 21 and the glass window23, and a polarizing film 24 is attached on an exterior surface of theglass window 23, which does not face the panel 21. A reference numeral25 indicates an adhesive such as an OCA.

The panel 21 may also include the structure of the panel 11 of FIG. 2,and may be an organic light emitting panel or a liquid crystal panel.The touch screen 22 may also include the structure of the touch screen12 of FIG. 3.

The polarizing film 24 may simultaneously function to inhibit anexternal light from being reflected, and to prevent the scatter ofbroken pieces when the glass window 23 breaks.

The FIG. 1 embodiment has a structure in which the polarizing film 13 isattached on the inner surface of the glass window 14, which faces thepanel 11 whereas the FIG. 4 embodiment has a structure in which thepolarizing film 24 is attached on the exterior surface of the glasswindow 14, which does not face the panel 21. Since the functions of thepolarizing film 24 are substantially the same as that of the FIG. 1embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

According to at least one embodiment, it is possible to prevent thescatter of the broken pieces when the glass window 23 breaks, withoutthe use of a separate scatter-prevention film. Accordingly, the glasswindow 23 may have a scatter-prevention function without increasingmanufacturing costs, and a slim product may be obtained since anadditional element is not included.

Further, the flat panel display according to at least one embodiment ishighly profitable and also affords advantageously a slim product, andthus may be used in mobile devices including a mobile phone.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described thereinshould be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flat panel display comprising: a panelconfigured to display an image; a glass window covering the panel; apolarizing film attached on a surface of the glass window, wherein thepolarizing film is configured to prevent the scatter of broken pieceswhen the glass window breaks and also prevent reflection of an externallight; and a touch screen formed between the panel and the polarizingfilm, wherein the polarizing film and the touch screen contact eachother via an adhesive, wherein the touch screen comprises: first andsecond substrates facing each other; first and second electrode patternsformed on the first and second substrates, respectively, wherein thefirst and second electrode patterns face each other; and an insulatingmaterial interposed between the substrates and fully covering top andside surfaces of each of the first and second electrode patterns.
 2. Thedisplay of claim 1, wherein the surface of the glass window faces thepanel.
 3. The display of claim 1, wherein the touch screen comprises:first and second substrates facing each other; first and secondelectrode patterns formed on the first and second substrates,respectively, wherein the first and second electrode patterns face eachother; and an insulating material interposed between the substrates andcovering the electrode patterns.
 4. The display of claim 1, wherein theglass window is formed over the polarizing film.
 5. The display of claim4, further comprising an adhesive formed between the glass window andthe polarizing film.
 6. A flat panel display comprising: a panelconfigured to display an image; a glass window covering the panel; and apolarizing film attached on a surface of the glass window, wherein thepolarizing film is configured to prevent the scatter of broken pieceswhen the glass window breaks and also prevent reflection of an externallight, wherein the surface of the glass window does not face the panel;and a touch screen formed between the panel and the glass window,wherein the touch screen comprises: first and second substrates facingeach other; first and second electrode patterns formed on the first andsecond substrates, respectively, wherein the first and second electrodepatterns face each other; and an insulating material interposed betweenthe substrates and fully covering top and side surfaces of each of thefirst and second electrode patterns.
 7. The display of claim 6, furthercomprising a touch screen formed between the panel and the glass window.8. The display of claim 7, wherein the touch screen comprises: first andsecond substrates facing each other; first and second electrode patternsformed on the first and second substrates, respectively, wherein thefirst and second electrode patterns face each other; and an insulatingmaterial interposed between the substrates and covering the electrodepatterns.
 9. The display of claim 7 6, wherein the polarizing film isformed over the glass window.
 10. The display of claim 9, furthercomprising an adhesive formed between the polarizing film and the glasswindow.
 11. The display of claim 1, wherein the panel is an organiclight emitting panel or a liquid crystal panel.
 12. The display of claim1, wherein the polarizing film is formed at least partially of anon-glass material.
 13. A flat panel display comprising: a panelconfigured to display an image; a glass window configured to cover thepanel, wherein the glass window has first and second surfaces opposingeach other, wherein the first surface is closer to the panel than thesecond surface; a polarizing film formed between the first surface ofthe glass window and the panel, wherein the polarizing film is closer tothe panel than the glass window, and wherein the polarizing film isformed at least partially of a non-glass material which is configured toprevent the scatter of broken pieces when the glass window breaks; and atouch screen formed between the panel and the polarizing film, whereinthe polarizing film and the touch screen contact each other via anadhesive, wherein the touch screen comprises: first and secondsubstrates facing each other; first and second electrode patterns formedon the first and second substrates, respectively, wherein the first andsecond electrode patterns face each other; and an insulating materialinterposed between the substrates and fully covering top and sidesurfaces of each of the first and second electrode patterns.
 14. Thedisplay of claim 13, wherein the glass window and the polarizing filmcontact each other via an adhesive.
 15. The display of claim 13, whereinthe touch screen and the panel contact each other via an adhesive.
 16. Aflat panel display comprising: a panel configured to display an image; aglass window configured to cover the panel; a touch screen foil ledbetween the panel and the glass window; and a polarizing film havingfirst and second surfaces opposing each other, wherein the first surfaceis closer to the panel than the second surface, and wherein the glasswindow is formed between the first surface of the polarizing film andthe touch screen, wherein the touch screen comprises: first and secondsubstrates facing each other; first and second electrode patterns formedon the first and second substrates, respectively, wherein the first andsecond electrode patterns face each other; and an insulating materialinterposed between the substrates and fully covering top and sidesurfaces of each of the first and second electrode patterns.
 17. Thedisplay of claim 16, wherein the polarizing film is formed at leastpartially of a non-glass material which is configured to prevent thescatter of broken pieces when the glass window breaks and preventreflection of an external light.
 18. The display of claim 16, whereinthe touch screen comprises: first and second substrates facing eachother; first and second electrode patterns formed on the first andsecond substrates, respectively, wherein the first and second electrodepatterns face each other; and an insulating material interposed betweenthe substrates and covering the electrode patterns.
 19. A flat paneldisplay comprising: a panel configured to display an image; a glasswindow covering the panel; a polarizing film attached on a surface ofthe glass window; and a touch screen formed between the panel and thepolarizing film, wherein the polarizing film and the touch screencontact each other via an adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises anoptical clear adhesive (OCA), wherein the touch screen comprises: firstand second substrates facing each other; first and second electrodepatterns formed on the first and second substrates, respectively,wherein the first and second electrode patterns face each other; and aninsulating material interposed between the substrates and fully coveringtop and side surfaces of each of the first and second electrodepatterns.
 20. A flat panel display comprising: a panel configured todisplay an image; a glass window covering the panel; a polarizing filmattached on a surface of the glass window; and a touch screen formedbetween the panel and the polarizing film, wherein the polarizing filmand the touch screen contact each other via an adhesive, wherein thewidth of the adhesive is the same as the widths of at least two of thepanel, the glass window, the polarizing film and the touch screen,wherein the touch screen comprises: first and second substrates facingeach other; first and second electrode patterns formed on the first andsecond substrates, respectively, wherein the first and second electrodepatterns face each other; and an insulating material interposed betweenthe substrates and fully covering top and side surfaces of each of thefirst and second electrode patterns.
 21. The display of claim 20,wherein the adhesive comprises an optical clear adhesive (OCA).
 22. Thedisplay of claim 1, wherein the first electrode pattern includes aplurality of first electrodes, wherein the second electrode patternincludes a plurality of second electrodes respectively facing the firstelectrodes, and wherein the insulating material fully covers top andside surfaces of each and every one of the first and second electrodes.